Gov. Rick Scott on sanctuary campuses: We’re going to enforce the law

Gov. Rick Scott is putting Florida first in an effort to curb illegal immigration and crack down on sanctuary cities. (Photo via AP)

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has a message for students who want to make their college a sanctuary campus: we’re going to enforce the law.

Over the last few months, students at Texas State University petitioned to make their school a “sanctuary for undocumented students, workers, and community members.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded to those petitions by saying, “Texas will not tolerate sanctuary campuses or cities. I will cut funding for any state campus if it establishes sanctuary status.”

Last week, however, a majority of students at Florida State University voted on a referendum to make their school a sanctuary campus. The referendum still has a ways to go, but students want their administrators to not release the immigration status of students to ICE, guarantee that undocumented students continue to receive tuition waivers, and receive tuition assistance for DACA.

When asked, in an interview with Red Alert Politics, Gov. Scott wouldn’t go as far as to say whether they would specifically crack down on sanctuary cities or campuses by stripping funding.

“What I’ve said all along with regards to every law is that we enforce the laws of our state,” Scott said. “I tell people, ‘Look, if you don’t like the existing laws of your country, we have a legislative process to change those.'”

He continued. “I expect every citizen to comply with the law.”

Tampa Bay Times reported earlier in February that legislation is being drafted by State Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach), who said that they are looking into using “financial penalties” to crack down on sanctuary cities and counties.

It has yet to be seen whether the Florida State Senate will also include penalties against sanctuary campuses.